This is a great example of the use of the unsaid – what is unknown between players and how the audience can make their own enjoyment of a bewildering situation.
Liza Goddard as Sheila and Antony Eden as Greg in Relatively Speaking | Photo © Tristram Kenton
Rarely are any of the characters in charge of all the information and as a result, the dialogue resounds with precision, presumption and fun throughout.
Ginny (Olivia Le Andersen) is apparently planning on visiting her parents and begs her partner Greg, (Antony Eden) to not tag along for various reasons.
He decides to join her at The Willows and the consequences are significant when he turns up unannounced. No spoilers, but for those who know the piece it is beautifully balanced with the scenes at The Willows holding pause and confusion to absolute precision.
Liza Goddard as Sheila and Steven Pacey as Philip are absolute gold, holding every moment and innuendo with great style and skill.
The opening scene, which is purely to set things up, feels a little lagging in energy but once the nicely choreographed reveal into the home in the country happens, things become far more complex and allows Ayckbourn to create the comedy of manners which he does so very well.
This is a classy production, which is in the very capable hands of Goddard and Pacey. Thankfully Antony Eden is allowed more scope here in the script as the characters unravel, keeping the tone of the country manor and British manners intact without being too naturalistic or stereotypical.
There are moments when it shows its age but those are directorial choices, first performed in 1967 but Robin Hereford (Director) allows it to rattle along at a good pace and keeps the audience guessing and pre-empting throughout.
A thoroughly enjoyable production with a fine set design by Peter Mackintosh. It is a good escape to the country for a couple of hours and well worth wondering about what might have happened next.
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Reviewer: Petra Schofield
